Cards

Always hear about bribery cases overseas, but it was always hearsay and never really know anyone who had done that. But today i saw it happening at the JB immigration checkpoint.
I often had to take extra and stock up on immigration cards for Ed who frequent JB. The immigration officers were always stingy and will only give 3 or 4 at a time. They even put up a notice at the old checkpoint that each person can only take 4 and they will always languidly point to it whenever I ask for more.
However, the guy getting the cards before me was given a stack 2 inch thick. He had discreetly gave the staff something which the latter quickly pocketed. No wonder they had been so strict about 4 per person. There is benefits to be reap from those who want more.

Results

O level results will be out in 30 mins time. In 30 mins, I will know if my teaching strategies have been successful or a total flop.
Terrible headache now cos couldn't sleep well last night. Keep having dreams about the results. I think I am as jittery as the students themselves.

Flower girl

Cousin SY and Ad married on 3 Jan. QY and one of SY's niece were the flower girls at the wedding. Getting QY to be the flower girl had not been easy. Since early 2008, we already sounded her out if she is up to it. She said NO then, being afraid of the smoky effect (from the dry ice). Then she agreed when we promised/swear "no smoke".

By June 08, she asked to cut her hair short. She didn't like tying up her hair for school which my mom absolutely insisted on. So we snipped off her long tresses, giving her a bobbed look. Her short hair became a concern as I can't imagine a flower girl sporting short hair.

And I had a little crisis with their gowns. These party dresses can be rather outlandish or overly flashy with too much lace, sequins and beads. The actually gowns from bridal studio cost a bomb. After checking several places, I finally found a suitable piece that I thought was good. Only Winnie's size was available then and I bought it. QY's piece was slightly stained and the store offer to hunt for another piece for me. A few days later, and 1 day before I go overseas for my holiday, the store called to say QY's size is out of stock islandwide. Panic. Only 2 weeks left before the wedding. Left instructions to call once they find a piece, even if I'm overseas. I can arrange for someone to pick it up, but no news for an entire week while i was away. Somehow by a stroke of luck, the same day that i return, I found the piece in the store. Can't be bother to question the sales staff why nobody call. I am just plain relieved that I found it, paid and get out of that place.

Then we're told that she is not to scatter/toss petals. Church rules. I worry once more. What is she going to do while walking down the isle? If she doesn't do something, she would just have to walk down the isle with everyone's attention on her, she'll surely get cold feet.

A week before the wedding, we had a rehearsal at the church. QY got so overwhelmed by the thought of walking down the isle unaccompanied, with a crowd watching her, she bursted into tears. Exclaimed that she doesn't want to be flower girl anymore. We tried using the gown, appeal to her vanity of wearing earrings and having make up, which all she loved and was looking forward to to entice her but nothing works. I was so upset with her. I had to warn everyone in the family NOT to discuss this crying episode again so as not to scare her further.
Thankfully, subtle hints and gradual brainwashing by the entire village of aunts and cousins eventually worked. We also let the girls walk hand-in-hand. She was all bright and chirpy on the wedding day. Photographer actually came to tell me not to affect the kids unless it's life threatening. Otherwise, just let them be their natural self. They will still look cute even if they get cold feet and ran off halfway down the isle, or burst into tears in front of everyone. Photographer probably sensed that I am more nervous than the kids or the bride herself.
All turned out well. They had some kiddish whispering at the entrance "you must walk now", "walk faster, hurry!!".... that sort of things, which everyone heard, thanks to the great acoustics of the church.
And to substitute the throwing petals part, I tried looking for a teddy bear or soft toy from the bride for QY to hug but she had none. Personally, I had always love floral posie so decided to get one for QY to hold. A florist quoted me an exorbitant price for one, suppose to be the cheapest, using the cheapest variety of fresh flowers. Said its hard to make and alot of work involved. If use roses which I wanted, will be even more expensive and won't last long too. Decided to DIY, which cost around $35, using roses made from soft foam. And no hard work at all for me. An hour to source for material, and an hour to make while watching TV serial Little Nyonya. Happy with the result, got a few comments that it's beautiful. Most important, QY likes it and was playing with it, swinging the ball of flower around whole day.